Becoming a Constable, Firewood Gang Arrives

Li Hongye led Gu Chang'an out of the side hall.

The sky was growing dark, twilight like a veil, yet the entire County Office was still brightly lit, constables coming and going ceaselessly, their footsteps hurried.

"Let's go, first to the household registration room to register, then to the armory to collect your gear."

Li Hongye spoke as she walked quickly ahead, possessing the capable aura of a female constable.

Gu Chang'an followed closely behind, walking through a long corridor, turning into a side courtyard, and arriving before a small house with a plaque that read "Record Room."

The room inside was brightly lit, an old clerk with white hair and beard sat behind a desk, flipping through a stack of ledgers.

"Old Zhou, please register this new constable for me," Li Hongye said with a cupped-hand salute and a smile.

The old clerk looked up, his eyebrows raised. "Taking in another one? He doesn't look very old."

His gaze swept over Gu Chang'an, then looked at the bundle behind him, and he nodded. "What's your name? How old are you? Where are you from? Who is your master?"

Gu Chang'an cupped his hands and answered one by one: "Gu Chang'an, sixteen years old, from Guangyuan Town, trained at Sky Wind Martial Hall, my master is Li Tianfeng."

Old Clerk Zhou scribbled down the information and asked, "Have you entered a rank?"

"Ninth Rank martial artist," Gu Chang'an replied.

Old Clerk Zhou showed a slight surprise upon hearing this, nodding. "Not bad, a Ninth Rank martial artist at sixteen, considered a good prospect."

After finishing writing, he took out a newly made bronze plate, engraved with "Fugitive Apprehension · Ding Three One Four," and handed it to Gu Chang'an.

"This is your constable number. All future orders, records, and merits will be based on this. Don't lose it."

Gu Chang'an took the bronze plate. His fingertips felt a slight coolness; it was a heavy piece, but it signified a promotion in his status.

At the same time, on his System panel, his information panel had changed.

[Name: Gu Chang'an]
[Lifespan: 54 years 4 months]
[Status: Martial Artist (Minor Official)]
[Realm: Ninth Rank]
[Constitution: 148 (+4/day)]
[Cultivation Techniques: Iron Cutting Saber Technique (Yellow Grade Low Rank, Initial Mastery/+), Complete Iron Cloth Shirt (Yellow Grade High Rank, Initial Mastery/+), Flowing Wind Steps (Yellow Grade Low Rank, Initial Mastery/+), Mountain Shattering Fist (Yellow Grade Low Rank, Beginner/+), Archery (Mortal Grade, Initial Mastery/+)]

Not bad, the Minor Official status, Constitution increases by 4 points every day.

This is too awesome.

Next, Li Hongye led Gu Chang'an towards the armory.

The armory was located in a stone house, guarded by two robust constables. After Li Hongye showed her waist token, she led Gu Chang'an inside.

Inside, shelves were lined up, neatly displaying armor, spears, bows, crossbows, leather boots, and other assorted equipment. On the walls hung the standard black iron uniforms and inner armor for constables.

"New here?" one of the guards at the armory asked as he approached.

"Mm," Li Hongye nodded. "Equip him with a standard set of armor, a black uniform, a belt, arm guards, and leg guards. I'll pick his weapon."

"Alright," the guard responded briskly. He quickly brought the equipment over and laid out the items one by one on a nearby table.

Gu Chang'an inspected them. Once there were no issues, he packed them into a bundle.

Li Hongye looked at Gu Chang'an and asked, "What weapon do you specialize in?"

Gu Chang'an replied without hesitation: "Long saber."

Li Hongye nodded upon hearing this and walked to the weapon rack. She picked out a standard long saber. The blade was jet black, the edge gleaming silver, and it felt steady in her hand.

She drew the blade, a cold glint flashed, and it let out a soft hum.

"This is a Standard Ring-Pommel Long Saber, forged with a mix of cold iron. It's not top-tier, but its toughness, cutting power, and weight are suitable for a beginner."

She handed it to Gu Chang'an. "Use this for now. Once you earn merits or capture criminals, you can request a new sword, or even have a custom weapon forged."

Gu Chang'an took it with both hands. The heavy saber felt substantial, his qi and blood vibrated slightly, and his heart stirred with excitement.

He nodded and cupped his hands. "Thank you, Senior Disciple Sister."

Li Hongye nodded with satisfaction. "You've only recently entered a rank. Although you have a foundation, if you want to establish yourself in the Fugitive Apprehension Group, you'll need to prove yourself in real combat.

Tomorrow morning, gather at the martial hall. I'll introduce you to the members of our Fugitive Apprehension Team Ding, and then I'll teach you some procedures for handling case files and the rules for apprehending criminals."

Gu Chang'an cupped his fists. "Yes, Senior Disciple Sister."

"Alright, go back and rest early. It won't be this leisurely starting tomorrow."

Li Hongye smiled and patted his shoulder.

Gu Chang'an nodded in agreement, and the two parted ways.

He carried his bundle and saber, walked through the brightly lit corridor, and exited the main gate of the County Office.

Behind him, he could hear the footsteps of constables on patrol and the incessant chirping of cicadas in the distance.

The evening sky had been swallowed by twilight. In the shantytown alleys of Nanning County's southern district, shadows deepened, with only scattered lights from households providing faint illumination.

Gu Chang'an carried his bundle and followed the familiar path home, his mind calm throughout the journey.

His mood was uplifted, but as the scene ahead entered his sight, his smile froze abruptly.

A crowd had gathered in front of his home.

There were over a dozen people, scattered around the entrance to the dilapidated alley and the house door. They were all crudely dressed, some holding sabers, others leaning against the wall...

Pairs of eyes stared at him coldly, like a wolf pack eyeing a lone prey.

The leader was a middle-aged man, tall and thin, with slightly sunken cheeks and a pair of triangular eyes as sinister as nails. He wore a brown robe, with a "Firewood" character embroidered in black thread on the lapel.

He held a black ebony iron rod, tapping it against the bluestone slabs with a clatter.

Standing beside him was a burly man with a face like an iron tower. His head was wrapped in a white cloth, his arms were bound with leather wrist guards, and he held a large saber with a curved spine, faintly exuding a bloody scent.

Besides them, there were over a dozen other gang members, some holding iron rods, others carrying woodcutter's sabers on their backs.

These people were now chatting and laughing. Some were squatting by the doorstep, whittling wood, while others were smoking pipes, their smoke swirling, making the air feel almost suffocating.

A neighbor peeked out from a gap in the window, frowning and whispering a reminder:

"Little Gu, don't be stubborn... They came this afternoon and have been guarding your door, not saying a word, as if waiting for you."

Gu Chang'an's footsteps halted.

His eyes narrowed slightly, and his mind quickly flashed back to a month ago.

It seems Zhang Qiang's incident has surfaced.

At that time, a demon had happened to pass by and swallowed the corpse.

He thought the matter was over then, but he didn't expect...

"It seems the demon didn't swallow it all," Gu Chang'an's heart sank.

He looked directly at the man in the lead—Liang Biao, the incense master of the Firewood Gang, Zhang Qiang's own cousin.

He had seen this man before when he was selling firewood.

Seeing him appear, Liang Biao squinted and smiled, his voice hoarse and low:

"Isn't this Gu Chang'an? You're back?"

Gu Chang'an slowed his pace, stopping five steps away from his door.

His expression was calm, but his voice was like stones shattering ice:

"You're all gathered at my doorstep, what do you want?"

Liang Biao's smile didn't change as he slowly said:

"Our brother Zhang Qiang suddenly disappeared a month ago. We searched for many days and finally found the remains.

But strangely, his death doesn't seem to be from a demon's bite."

"The bones were covered in stab wounds, clean and vicious, not like an amateur's, but rather... like someone from the martial world."

"Most importantly—he died next to that barren field behind your house."

Gu Chang'an didn't respond.

He slowly unbuckled the bundle on his shoulder and gently placed it at his feet.

Liang Biao continued, "You were the last person to see him before he disappeared."

"Originally, you were just a refugee, nothing worth investigating. But we heard... you've suddenly become energetic lately, your back is straight, and you walk with vigor."

"Does this mean—you've actually been practicing martial arts for a long time?"

Gu Chang'an looked up at him, his eyes like frost, his tone frighteningly calm:

"Are you trying to interrogate me?"

Liang Biao smiled, "Heh... It's not an interrogation, just a few questions."

"If you are innocent, no one will trouble you."

"But if you did something, just explain it properly, and we won't make things difficult for you."

The surrounding gang members slowly closed in, their sabers and rods lowered, yet carrying a sharp edge.

Gu Chang'an's fingers twitched, and he subtly rested them on the hilt of the saber at his waist, his mind rapidly weighing the situation.

Over a dozen men, forming a pincer, all seasoned members of the Firewood Gang, and who knew if there were any ambushes.

However, none of them were ranked martial artists.

Among them, Liang Biao and the burly man beside him were stronger. The former had a Constitution of 80, and the latter even higher at 90, already at the peak for ordinary people.

Even so, Gu Chang'an was not afraid.

As long as they weren't ranked martial artists, he wasn't afraid of any of them now.

However, he still didn't want to fight.

The Firewood Gang was too powerful.

They had over a thousand members, and their gang leader was even an Eighth Rank martial artist.

Therefore, he wasn't afraid of the people in front of him, but he didn't want to deal with the old ones coming after he dealt with the young ones.

That would be too troublesome.

However, just because he didn't want to act didn't mean he was afraid.

He was a Ninth Rank martial artist now, and a constable at that.

If the Firewood Gang wanted to make a move on him, they'd have to consider if it was worth it.

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you can find it next time.